One of Donegal’s most historic buildings, Lifford Old Courthouse is today a multi-purpose visitor centre offering guided jail tours, escape rooms, musical performances, room hire and an on-site bistro. With activities and events to suit all ages, you’re sure to find the perfect things for your day or night out.
Experience Donegal’s Historical Jail
Tours
Fun informative and unlike anything you’ve seen before, this is a guided tour with a difference.
Jailbreak
Jailbreak is a live escape room that challenges you to break out of our cell before time runs out
Bistro
Set in what was once Donegal’s Grand Courtroom, the Bistro offers a unique dining experience.
Transport back in time!
The Old Courthouse in Lifford can be found just 15 miles away from both Letterkenny and Derry. Situated in the capital of Donegal the Old Courthouse was built in 1746 and once upon a time hosted some of the most hardened criminals in the country.
The Courthouse’s very own Bistro is set in what was once Donegal’s Grand Courtroom and it offers a dining experience like no other. Specialising in modern Irish cuisine it caters for everyone whether you are after a light snack, a main course or just a wee treat.
Explore more to do
Parties
Fancy having your party in our Courtroom or one of our function rooms? We can host everything here!
Events
Music, Comedy and more! Check out our calendar for upcoming events at Lifford Old Courthouse
Room Hire
We have function rooms available for all kinds of conferences, meetings and workshops at any time.
Testimonials
Super Team Building Visit
We really enjoyed our team day out. Luke was brilliant as a tour guide and really made the tour unique. There was some good competition between the teams with the jail break tasks. We all enjoyed the lovely food and delighted to support and visit a local social enterprise.
Martin Mc
August 2025
A fantastic visit
We had the guided tour with Luke. Really good. Very informative & interesting. We also went on to the escape rooms. Brilliant. We definitely recommend. Beautiful place to eat too.
Liz C
February 2025
Went above and beyond.
I came to the museum today with my father who has dementia. I just wanted to say thank you to one of your staff members Luke who went above and beyond with dad, and made it such a great experience for him. Dad is telling the family when he got home what a lovely man Luke is. Thank you Luke for your time and patience really appreciate it.
Rosetta Q
August 2025
Stay up to date
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This project is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Pobal through the Community Services Programme.
This project has been part-funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under Project Ireland 2040.
Tá an tionscadal seo páirt-mhaoinithe ag an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán faoi Thionscadal Éireann 2040.
We’re delighted to announce that Lifford Old Courthouse is one of the first social enterprises in Ireland to secure People & Planet First Verification.
What does this mean?
People & Planet First is a robust verification mark for social enterprises which is recognised globally and adopted in 130+ counties.
The verification focuses on five core standards:
Purpose: We exist to solve a social and/or environmental problem.
Operations: We prioritise purpose, people and planet over profit in operational decisions.
Revenue: We have a self-sustaining revenue model.
Use of surplus: We reinvest the majority of any surplus towards our purpose.
Structure: We choose legal structures and financing that protect and lock-in purpose long-term.a